Fun minivan-history fact: The 1984 Toyota Van actually reached the U.S. market a few months before the first Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager did. That would be the only way in which the quirky mid-engine Japanese van would trump Chrysler’s family-friendly duo, as the media and public vastly preferred the latter.
It’s also interesting to note that both Toyota’s and Chrysler’s vans were born of humble stuff. The Toyota Van—mostly used for urban delivery service in crowded Asian cities—was based on a commercial compact pickup. Chrysler’s vans were built on K-Car underpinnings, though that architecture was significantly modified for van duty.
We’re looking at 1987 here, an interesting year in the evolution of the minivan. For ’87, the Chrysler duo received their first V6 option, but the Chevrolet Astro, GMC Safari, and Ford Aerostar were not yet available in popular long-wheelbase guise.
If you’ve spent any time in or around one of these vans, please tell us about it.
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The Minivans of 1987
Chevrolet Astro
Base Price: $9833 (not including $405 destination charge)
Wheelbase: 111 inches
Cargo Volume: 152 cubic feet
Drive Wheels: rear
Base Engine: 98-horsepower 2.5-liter four
Optional Engine: 155-horsepower 4.3-liter V6
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Dodge Caravan
Base Price: $10,411 (not including $480 destination charge)
Wheelbase: 112-119 inches
Cargo Volume: 125-150 cubic feet
Drive Wheels: front
Base Engine: 95-horsepower 2.2-liter four
Optional Engine: 102-horsepower 2.5-liter four
Optional Engine: 144-horsepower 3.0-liter V6
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Dodge/Plymouth Colt Vista
Base Price: $10,158 (not including $200 destination charge)
Wheelbase: 103 inches
Cargo Volume: 64 cubic feet
Drive Wheels: front, 4wd available
Base Engine: 88-horsepower 2.0-liter four
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Ford Aerostar
Base Price: $10,682 (not including $450 destination charge)
Wheelbase: 119 inches
Cargo Volume: 140 cubic feet
Drive Wheels: rear
Base Engine: 90-horsepower 2.3-liter four
Optional Engine: 140-horsepower 3.0-liter V6
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GMC Safari
Base Price: $10,363 (not including $405 destination charge)
Wheelbase: 111 inches
Cargo Volume: 152 cubic feet
Drive Wheels: rear
Base Engine: 98-horsepower 2.5-liter four
Optional Engine: 155-horsepower 4.3-liter V6
Forgotten Concept: Oldsmobile Silhouette OSV
Mitsubishi Wagon
Base Price: $12,789 (not including $219 destination charge)
Wheelbase: 88 inches
Cargo Volume: 161 cubic feet
Drive Wheels: rear
Base Engine: 107-horsepower 2.4-liter four
Nissan Van
Base Price: $12,599 (not including $210 destination charge)
Wheelbase: 93 inches
Cargo Volume: 158 cubic feet
Drive Wheels: rear
Base Engine: 106-horsepower 2.4-liter four
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Plymouth Voyager
Base Price: $10,411 (not including $480 destination charge)
Wheelbase: 112-119 inches
Cargo Volume: 125-150 cubic feet
Drive Wheels: front
Base Engine: 95-horsepower 2.2-liter four
Optional Engine: 102-horsepower 2.5-liter four
Optional Engine: 144-horsepower 3.0-liter V6
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Toyota Van
Base Price: $11,988 (not including variable destination charge)
Wheelbase: 88 inches
Cargo Volume: 149 cubic feet
Drive Wheels: rear, 4WD available
Base Engine: 101-horsepower 2.2-liter four
Forgotten Concept: Ford Aerovan by Ghia
Volkswagen Vanagon
Base Price: $15,320 (not including $320 destination charge)
Wheelbase: 97 inches
Cargo Volume: 201 cubic feet
Drive Wheels: rear, 4WD available
Base Engine: 95-horsepower 2.1-liter four
Forgotten Concept: Dodge Kahuna
Minivans of 1987
Minivans of 1987
